Teal MP Zali Steggall has described the man from the public gallery who yelled “bullshit” earlier as overweight, prompting hysterical shouts from Coalition MPs towards the independent, who then accused Nationals Leader David Littleproud of threatening her.
As question time ended, Steggall rose to call out the behaviour of the farmers in the public gallery as tempers flared when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about Labor’s move to end live sheep exports. The National Farmers Federation today protested at Parliament House against the ban.
Zali Steggall during question time on Monday.Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald
“The leader of the Nationals asked the question … to the prime minister and indicated that guests … objecting to the live sheep lobby were in the gallery and pointed to the gallery here. When they decided to leave, a gentleman in jeans, black t-shirt, overweight and bald, flipped the bird,” Steggall began, before members of the opposition yelled in protest against her remarks.
“For the benefit of the Speaker, the description is so that person may be identified from video content, because upon leaving the gallery, [he] flipped the bird to the chamber. And in doing so, looked to the leader of the Nationals for support.”
Littleproud could be seen yelling at Steggall, which prompts Steggall to accuse him of threatening her.
Nationals leader David Littleproud during question time yesterday.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“Are you threatening me? Leader of the Nationals, are you threatening me? Mr Speaker, the leader of the Nationals thinks it’s appropriate to threaten me,” Steggall says.
Steggall continued her answer, arguing “if we are here to improve standards, it has to come from all, including visitors”.
“I can also point out, I do take offence to the threat that was made to me by the Leader of the Nationals that I should be careful, that is not appropriate conduct in this chamber,” Steggall said.
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After Steggall’s answer, Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley made a point of order.
“I thought that that was disgraceful, that body-shaming remark by the member for Warringah, the pejorative description of a member of our public galleries, and it should be withdrawn immediately,” Ley called to the House.
Speaker of the House Milton Dick asked if Steggall wished to withdraw her description, which Steggall refused.
“No, because I would like the video footage to be identified,” Steggall said.
Dick finished the dramatic development in the chamber by reminding everyone to behave better, including members of the public.
Source Agencies
